Florida State's Winston wins Heisman Trophy

Jameis Winston, quarterback of the Florida State Seminoles, speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the 2013 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on on Saturday in New York City JEFF ZELEVANSKY, GETTY IMAGES

NEW YORK – From the first snap, the season has belonged to Jameis Winston.

Now the 2013 Heisman Trophy does as well.

Winston, Florida State's redshirt freshman quarterback, has proved to be college football's most consistent and dynamic signal caller this season. From his efficient debut against Pittsburgh to his elite performance on the road against Clemson, Winston never crumbled under pressure.

Thanks to his poise, leadership and superior skills, Winston became the third FSU player and second redshirt freshman to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night.

Winston was presented the award during a ceremony in New York that was broadcast nationally.

“I really never focused on would I be here or not. I always focused on, ‘Guys, we need to get to that national championship; we need to keep getting better,’ “ Winston said. “I had a good feeling. I knew if we kept playing good, and I knew with the numbers around me, people being productive and if we kept blowing people out the way we were. … I knew I would have a shot.”

He received 2,205 votes. McCarron came in second place with 705 points, creating the fifth-largest margin of victory in the modern Heisman era, despite Winston being left off 115 ballots.

“This is the first time I've been speechless in a long time” said the normally bubbly Winston, who was choked up while accepting his award.

As a child, Winston used to dream about winning the Heisman. A family friend would urge him to strike a Heisman pose while playing youth football, but Winston said he “eventually grew out of that.”

Winston was more focused on the journey to the Heisman than the award itself. A two-sport athlete, Winston was often seen doing leg workouts for football on the same day he was expected to pitch for his high school baseball team. He knew it was preparing him for playing at the next level.

In his first year as a starter, Winston has helped guide FSU to a spot in the BCS National Championship Game, where the Seminoles will face off against Auburn. Winston has embraced his role as a team leader and his teammates have shown they were eager to follow the young quarterback.

“At Florida State, if we're going to do it, then we do it big,” Winston exclaimed to his teammates before FSU's 51-14 win against No. 3 Clemson in October.

He repeated the same statement during his Heisman speech, which he said he rehearsed only once before the ceremony.

While he did not start the year on many Heisman watch lists, Winston quickly entered the picture after he threw for 356 yards on 25-of-27 passing (92.6 completion percentage) against Pitt in the season opener.

Jameis Winston, quarterback of the Florida State Seminoles, speaks to the media during a press conference prior to the 2013 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on on Saturday in New York City JEFF ZELEVANSKY, GETTY IMAGES
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston does the Heisman pose while posing for photographers after winning the Heisman Trophy, Saturday, in New York. Winston becomes the 79th winner of the trophy and is the third player out of Florida State to win the award. JULIO CORTEZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston kisses the Heisman Trophy while posing for photographers after winning the trophy, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, in New York. Winston becomes the 79th winner of the trophy and is the third player out of Florida State to win the award. JULIO CORTEZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston poses for photographers with the Heisman Trophy after winning the award, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, in New York. Winston becomes the 79th winner of the trophy and is the third player out of Florida State to win the award. JULIO CORTEZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jordan Lynch, left, quarterback of the Northern Illinios Huskies, Johnny Manziel, quarterback of the Texas A&M aggies, Tre Mason, running back for the Auburn University Tigers, AJ McCarron of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Andre Williams, quarterback of the Boston College Eagles, and Jameis Winston, quarterback of the Florida State Seminoles, pose with the Heisman Trophy prior to the 2013 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on December 14, 2013 in New York City. JEFF ZELEVANSKY, GETTY IMAGES
Jameis Winston, quarterback of the Florida State Seminoles, hoist the trophy after being named the 79th Heisman Memorial Trophy Award winner during the 2013 Heisman Trophy Presentation in New York City. KELLY KLINE, GETTY IMAGES FOR THE HEISMAN TRUST
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston talks to reporters after winning the Heisman Trophy, Saturday in New York. JULIO CORTEZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, right, hugs his coach Jimbo Fisher during a news conference following Winston's announcement of him winning the Heisman Trophy, Saturday in New York. JULIO CORTEZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, right, stands with FSU coach Jimbo Fisher while holding the Heisman Trophy after winning the award on Saturday in New York. JULIO CORTEZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston holds up the Heisman Trophy while posing for photographers after winning the award on Saturday in New York. JULIO CORTEZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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